Maybe the Puggies are finally imploding. If so, I hope we've learned something.

[Jackpine Radical]

Let's be aware, this time, of what happened last time we really kicked Puggy ass. First there were all those hippies protesting the war, then the general public turned sour on the war, then Nixon tried to steal the country and got taken down for it, leaving Ford as a caretaker. Then there was that brief moment in the sun for Jimmy Carter, solar panels on the White House roof and all, and we all started breathing again. Then (at the urging of our oil companies, and in conspiracy with OPEC), oil prices kicked inflation through the ceiling, Carter did his "malaise" speech, and the Puggies set up the hostage crisis. Soon we were on to Reagan, the collapse of the unions, the death of civility, the apotheosis of Big Oil, and onward to the present. If it took Nixon to open China, it took DLC Clinton to pass NAFTA & "welfare reform." Remember that there are no great liberal legacies from the Clinton years. This was not FDR, not even LBJ. There have been no great liberal initiatives since Civil Rights, circa 1965.

So Goddamit, this time when we get the reins back, we had better build something that lasts. Something like what our founders did. We must wrest control of the nation once and for all from the greed-head corporations, from the wealthy, and from the tinpot religious dictators and their armies of sheep, and put that control back in the hands of a reinvigorated, awakened, informed, wise and humane public that is willing to operate out of optimism, good will, and love, placing the highest value on the biosphere and, within the biosphere, the good of humanity. As never before in history, we face a watershed moment, and the choices we make will determine, not merely how our descendants will live, but if they will live.

We need our Tom Paines again, our winter soldiers, our people of vision and fortitude. Where are they? Who are they? They are here. They are us.

We need another Jefferson. Where is he? Who is he? I wish I knew. But we had better find him. Or her.

[AX10]

1. I agree!

[Skink]

2. If I read it I couldn't sum it up like Clinton.

Let's all act like Philosophers for this one, or "philosophi:.".. if the times demand it. This way we get elected.

[villager]

3. Amen, Jackpine!

n/t

[Hailtothechimp]

4. Agreed, but Hillary is not the "her" you are referring to.

And if that wasn't your meaning, I apologize.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. That wasn't my meaning.

God, that wasn't my meaning. I only wanted to avoid sexist grammatical constructions, and to indicate that I am of course open to the prospect of a woman in the White House.

[Hailtothechimp]

8. The Constitution itself still has that sexist construction.

I'm surprised no one has brought that out yet. The president is referred to as "he" again and again.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

5. Well said.

K&R for solar panels on the WH once more . . .

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. Absolutely, totally agree